A review by the_bookubus
Bad Brains by Kathe Koja
5.0
Another phenomenal read from Kathe Koja. Bad Brains tells the story of Austen. He used to be an artist but that has fallen by the wayside and he now works a crappy day job to pay the bills. He still holds a torch for his ex-wife. He's a bit of a loner and one of his only lifelines is gallery owner Peter.
One evening he stumbles and falls, the accident putting him in hospital. Austen begins to suffer from seizures and visions. The medications don't seem to help. Once released from hospital the seizures continue and he is haunted by the visions. Always the same thing. Silver. Austen starts to paint again as he tries to find a cure.
This was an incredible book. Koja's writing is unique and poetic. I was making notes of amazing sentences and passages on practically every other page. The story is mesmerising and I was compelled to join Austen on his journey. Sure, there are some slower, quieter sections of the book but I felt they gave necessary breathing room to the intensity of the rest of the story. It's unsettling and disturbing yet absolutely fascinating. There are some similar themes and elements to The Cipher but Bad Brains definitely felt like its own entity rather than retreading familiar ground.
The opening paragraph will probably determine whether this will be your cup of tea or not:
"Gargoyle benedictive, above his breakfasting head: oils, luscious as blood and framed in red, a reclining sphinxlike form in all the shades of black. Ram's head atop the dreaming body, poisoned eyes."
One evening he stumbles and falls, the accident putting him in hospital. Austen begins to suffer from seizures and visions. The medications don't seem to help. Once released from hospital the seizures continue and he is haunted by the visions. Always the same thing. Silver. Austen starts to paint again as he tries to find a cure.
This was an incredible book. Koja's writing is unique and poetic. I was making notes of amazing sentences and passages on practically every other page. The story is mesmerising and I was compelled to join Austen on his journey. Sure, there are some slower, quieter sections of the book but I felt they gave necessary breathing room to the intensity of the rest of the story. It's unsettling and disturbing yet absolutely fascinating. There are some similar themes and elements to The Cipher but Bad Brains definitely felt like its own entity rather than retreading familiar ground.
The opening paragraph will probably determine whether this will be your cup of tea or not:
"Gargoyle benedictive, above his breakfasting head: oils, luscious as blood and framed in red, a reclining sphinxlike form in all the shades of black. Ram's head atop the dreaming body, poisoned eyes."